FIG. 2.

Detection of HCV RNA in parallel serum and PBMC samples from individuals convalescent from chronic hepatitis C. Sera (S) and IL-2- and PHA-stimulated PBMC (P) from individuals who (a) resolved hepatitis spontaneously and were monitored for at least 12 months thereafter or (b) resolved hepatitis due to antiviral therapy and were monitored for 60 months after the apparently complete virological recovery were tested for HCV RNA by nested RT-PCR-NAH assay. Serum and PBMC from a healthy individual (Healthy) and water (DW and NW) and cDNA-free mock (M) samples were used as negative controls. Positive samples showed the expected 244-bp band.